Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Gruber
Thomas R. Gruber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20200345298Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can adjust an alarm setting based on the sleep onset latency duration detected for a user of the mobile device. For example, sleep onset latency can be the amount of time it takes for the user to fall asleep after the user attempts to go to sleep (e.g., goes to bed). The mobile device can determine when the user intends or attempts to go to sleep based on detected sleep ritual activities. Sleep ritual activities can include those activities a user performs in preparation for sleep. The mobile device can determine when the user is asleep based on detected sleep signals (e.g., biometric data, sounds, etc.). In some implementations, the mobile device can determine recurring patterns of long or short sleep onset latency and present suggestions that might help the user sleep better or feel more rested.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Roy J. Raymann, Wren N. Dougherty, Divya Nag, Deborah M. Lambert, Stephanie Greer, Thomas R. Gruber
-
Publication number: 20200327895Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Thomas R. GRUBER, Adam J. CHEYER, Daniel KEEN
-
Patent number: 10795541Abstract: Techniques for processing task items are provided. A task item is electronic data that represents a task to be performed, whether manually or automatically. A task item includes one or more details about its corresponding task, such as a description of the task and a location of the task. Specifically, techniques for generating task items, organizing task items, triggering notifications of task items, and consuming task items are described. In one approach, a task item is generated based on input from a user and context of the input. In another approach, different attributes of task items are used to organize the task items intelligently into multiple lists. In another approach, actions other than the generation of notification are enabled or automatically performed, actions such as emailing, calling, texting, and searching.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Alessandro Sabatelli, Alexandre Aybes, Donald W. Pitschel, Edward D. Voas, Freddy Allen Anzures, Paul D. Marcos
-
Patent number: 10789041Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for dynamically adjusting a speech trigger threshold, which can be used in triggering a virtual assistant. Audio input can be received via a microphone. The received audio input can be sampled, and a confidence level can be determined of whether the sampled audio input includes a portion of a spoken trigger. In response to the confidence level exceeding a threshold, a virtual assistant can be triggered to receive a user command from the audio input. The threshold can be dynamically adjusted in response to perceived events (e.g., events indicating a user may be more or less likely to initiate speech interactions, events indicating a trigger may be difficult to detect, events indicating a trigger was missed, etc.), thereby minimizing both missed triggers and false positive triggering events.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kim, Thomas R. Gruber, John Bridle
-
Publication number: 20200302356Abstract: Techniques for processing task items are provided. A task item is electronic data that represents a task to be performed, whether manually or automatically. A task item includes one or more details about its corresponding task, such as a description of the task and a location of the task. Specifically, techniques for generating task items, organizing task items, triggering notifications of task items, and consuming task items are described. In one approach, a task item is generated based on input from a user and context of the input. In another approach, different attributes of task items are used to organize the task items intelligently into multiple lists. In another approach, one or more criteria, such as location, are used to determine when to notify a user of a task. In another approach, actions other than generating notifications are enabled or automatically performed, actions such as emailing, calling, texting, and searching.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Thomas R. GRUBER, Alessandro F. SABATELLI, Alexandre A. AYBES, Donald W. PITSCHEL, Edward D. VOAS, Freddy A. ANZURES, Paul D. MARCOS
-
Publication number: 20200279576Abstract: A method for operating a voice trigger is provided. In some implementations, the method is performed at an electronic device including one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The method includes receiving a sound input. The sound input may correspond to a spoken word or phrase, or a portion thereof. The method includes determining whether at least a portion of the sound input corresponds to a predetermined type of sound, such as a human voice. The method includes, upon a determination that at least a portion of the sound input corresponds to the predetermined type, determining whether the sound input includes predetermined content, such as a predetermined trigger word or phrase. The method also includes, upon a determination that the sound input includes the predetermined content, initiating a speech-based service, such as a voice-based digital assistant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Justin BINDER, Samuel D. POST, Onur TACKIN, Thomas R. GRUBER
-
Patent number: 10758173Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can adjust an alarm setting based on the sleep onset latency duration detected for a user of the mobile device. For example, sleep onset latency can be the amount of time it takes for the user to fall asleep after the user attempts to go to sleep (e.g., goes to bed). The mobile device can determine when the user intends or attempts to go to sleep based on detected sleep ritual activities. Sleep ritual activities can include those activities a user performs in preparation for sleep. The mobile device can determine when the user is asleep based on detected sleep signals (e.g., biometric data, sounds, etc.). In some implementations, the mobile device can determine recurring patterns of long or short sleep onset latency and present suggestions that might help the user sleep better or feel more rested.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Roy J. Raymann, Wren N. Dougherty, Divya Nag, Deborah M. Lambert, Stephanie Greer, Thomas R. Gruber
-
Publication number: 20200272485Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant in a messaging environment are provided. In one example process, a graphical user interface (GUI) having a plurality of previous messages between a user of the electronic device and the digital assistant can be displayed on a display. The plurality of previous messages can be presented in a conversational view. User input can be received and in response to receiving the user input, the user input can be displayed as a first message in the GUI. A contextual state of the electronic device corresponding to the displayed user input can be stored. The process can cause an action to be performed in accordance with a user intent derived from the user input. A response based on the action can be displayed as a second message in the GUI.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Petr KARASHCHUK, Tomas A. VEGA GALVEZ, Thomas R. GRUBER
-
Patent number: 10748546Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant to provide extension of digital assistant services are provided. An example method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors, receiving, from a first user, a first speech input representing a user request. The method further includes obtaining an identity of the first user; and in accordance with the user identity, providing a representation of the user request to at least one of a second electronic device or a third electronic device. The method further includes receiving, based on a determination of whether the second electronic device or the third electronic device, or both, is to provide the response to the first electronic device, the response to the user request from the second electronic device or the third electronic device. The method further includes providing a representation of the response to the first user.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yoon Kim, Charles Srisuwananukorn, David A. Carson, Thomas R. Gruber, Justin G. Binder
-
Patent number: 10741185Abstract: The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Adam J. Cheyer, Daniel Keen
-
Patent number: 10714117Abstract: A method for operating a voice trigger is provided. In some implementations, the method is performed at an electronic device including one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The method includes receiving a sound input. The sound input may correspond to a spoken word or phrase, or a portion thereof. The method includes determining whether at least a portion of the sound input corresponds to a predetermined type of sound, such as a human voice. The method includes, upon a determination that at least a portion of the sound input corresponds to the predetermined type, determining whether the sound input includes predetermined content, such as a predetermined trigger word or phrase. The method also includes, upon a determination that the sound input includes the predetermined content, initiating a speech-based service, such as a voice-based digital assistant.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Justin Binder, Samuel D. Post, Onur Tackin, Thomas R. Gruber
-
Patent number: 10706373Abstract: Techniques for processing task items are provided. A task item is electronic data that represents a task to be performed, whether manually or automatically. A task item includes one or more details about its corresponding task, such as a description of the task and a location of the task. Specifically, techniques for generating task items, organizing task items, triggering notifications of task items, and consuming task items are described. In one approach, a task item is generated based on input from a user and context of the input. In another approach, different attributes of task items are used to organize the task items intelligently into multiple lists. In another approach, one or more criteria, such as location, are used to determine when to notify a user of a task. In another approach, actions other than generating notifications are enabled or automatically performed, actions such as emailing, calling, and searching.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Alessandro F. Sabatelli, Alexandre A. Aybes, Donald W. Pitschel, Edward D. Voas, Freddy A. Anzures, Paul D. Marcos
-
Patent number: 10705794Abstract: The method includes automatically, without user input and without regard to whether a digital assistant application has been separately invoked by a user, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle. In some implementations, determining that the electronic device is in a vehicle comprises detecting that the electronic device is in communication with the vehicle (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication techniques and/or protocols). The method also includes, responsive to the determining, invoking a listening mode of a virtual assistant implemented by the electronic device. In some implementations, the method also includes limiting the ability of a user to view visual output presented by the electronic device, provide typed input to the electronic device, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Emily Clark Schubert, Brian Conrad Sumner
-
Patent number: 10691473Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant in a messaging environment are provided. In one example process, a graphical user interface (GUI) having a plurality of previous messages between a user of the electronic device and the digital assistant can be displayed on a display. The plurality of previous messages can be presented in a conversational view. User input can be received and in response to receiving the user input, the user input can be displayed as a first message in the GUI. A contextual state of the electronic device corresponding to the displayed user input can be stored. The process can cause an action to be performed in accordance with a user intent derived from the user input. A response based on the action can be displayed as a second message in the GUI.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Petr Karashchuk, Tomas A. Vega Galvez, Thomas R. Gruber
-
Patent number: 10679605Abstract: Systems and methods for providing hands-free reading of content comprising: identifying a plurality of data items for presentation to a user, the plurality of data items associated with a domain-specific item type and sorted according to a particular order; based on the domain-specific item type, generating a speech-based overview of the plurality of data items; for each of the plurality of data items, generating a respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrase for the data item based on respective content of the data item; and providing, to a user through the speech-enabled dialogue interface, the speech-based overview, followed by the respective speech-based, item-specific paraphrases for at least a subset of the plurality of data items in the particular order.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Lia T. Napolitano, Emily Clark Schubert, Brian Conrad Sumner
-
Publication number: 20200143812Abstract: Systems and processes for application integration with a digital assistant are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory, receiving a natural-language user input; identifying, with the one or more processors, an intent object of a set of intent objects and a parameter associated with the intent, where the intent object and the parameter are derived from the natural-language user input. The method further includes identifying a software application associated with the intent object of the set of intent objects; and providing the intent object and the parameter to the software application.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Robert A. WALKER, II, Brandon J. NEWENDORP, Rohit DASARI, Richard D. GIULI, Thomas R. GRUBER, Carey E. RADEBAUGH, Ashish GARG, Vineet KHOSLA, Jonathan H. RUSSELL, Corey PETERSON
-
Patent number: 10580409Abstract: Systems and processes for application integration with a digital assistant are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory, receiving a natural-language user input; identifying, with the one or more processors, an intent object of a set of intent objects and a parameter associated with the intent, where the intent object and the parameter are derived from the natural-language user input. The method further includes identifying a software application associated with the intent object of the set of intent objects; and providing the intent object and the parameter to the software application.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Walker, II, Brandon J. Newendorp, Rohit Dasari, Richard D. Giuli, Thomas R. Gruber, Carey E. Radebaugh, Ashish Garg, Vineet Khosla, Jonathan H. Russell, Corey Peterson
-
Publication number: 20200043482Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for handling a multi-part voice command for a virtual assistant. Speech input can be received from a user that includes multiple actionable commands within a single utterance. A text string can be generated from the speech input using a speech transcription process. The text string can be parsed into multiple candidate substrings based on domain keywords, imperative verbs, predetermined substring lengths, or the like. For each candidate substring, a probability can be determined indicating whether the candidate substring corresponds to an actionable command. Such probabilities can be determined based on semantic coherence, similarity to user request templates, querying services to determine manageability, or the like. If the probabilities exceed a threshold, the user intent of each sub string can be determined, processes associated with the user intents can be executed, and an acknowledgment can be provided to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Thomas R. GRUBER, Harry J. SADDLER, Jerome Rene BELLEGARDA, Bryce H. NYEGGEN, Alessandro SABATELLI
-
Patent number: 10553209Abstract: A method includes outputting an alert corresponding to an information item. In some implementations, the alert is a sound. In some implementations, the alert is ambiguous (e.g., the sound indicates several possible information items). The method further includes receiving a speech input after outputting the alert. The method further includes determining whether the speech input includes a request for information about the alert. The method further includes, in response to determining that the speech input includes a request for information about the alert, providing a first speech output including information about the alert.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Devrim Varoglu, Gencer Cili
-
Patent number: 10497365Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for handling a multi-part voice command for a virtual assistant. Speech input can be received from a user that includes multiple actionable commands within a single utterance. A text string can be generated from the speech input using a speech transcription process. The text string can be parsed into multiple candidate substrings based on domain keywords, imperative verbs, predetermined substring lengths, or the like. For each candidate substring, a probability can be determined indicating whether the candidate substring corresponds to an actionable command. Such probabilities can be determined based on semantic coherence, similarity to user request templates, querying services to determine manageability, or the like. If the probabilities exceed a threshold, the user intent of each substring can be determined, processes associated with the user intents can be executed, and an acknowledgment can be provided to the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Gruber, Harry J. Saddler, Jerome Rene Bellegarda, Bryce H. Nyeggen, Alessandro Sabatelli